Current Issues

CRB DRAMATICALLY INCREASES RATES FOR SONGWRITERS

NMPA & NSAI DECLARE VICTORY

SONGWRITER TOM DOUGLAS TO TESTIFY AT

JUDICIARY COMMITTEE FIELD HEARING

NSAI Member Testifies in Support of Music Modernization Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Thursday, January 25, 2018.

NASHVILLE, TN—Songwriter Tom Douglas, a longtime member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), will testify Friday at a U.S. House of Representatives Field Hearing to be held at Fordham University in New York City.

SENATE INTRODUCES MUSIC MODERNIZATON ACT
Bi-Partisan Bill to Aid Songwriters Continues to Gain Support

NASHVILLE, TN—The Music Modernization Act (MMA) was introduced today in the United States Senate.  The bill which makes several beneficial changes for songwriters in the way music is licensed and streaming rates are set continues to gain support.  

SONGWRITER PETITION

MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT of 2017 INTRODUCED

Bill Addresses Songwriter Streaming Rates and Music Licensing

The U.S. House of Representatives today adopted new rules to select the U.S. Register of Copyrights.  H.R. 1695 requires a process to choose three nominees for the President to select from, one of whom would be appointed as U.S. Register of Copyrights to serve a ten-year term.  The bill removes the appointment for the Librarian of Congress.  The next step is approval by the U.S. Senate.

NSAI filed comments this week in response to a white paper released earlier this month by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee entitled “Reform of the U.S. Copyright Office.” NSAI applauds Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers for their leadership in this important matter. You can see our submission here.

Washington, D.C. – The Copyright Alliance, which represents the copyright interests of over 1.8 million individual creators and more than 13,000 organizations across the spectrum of copyright disciplines, announced the addition of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) as its newest member.   

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has decided to appeal a ruling by BMI Rate Court Judge Louis Stanton who overturned DOJ’s interpretation of the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees--where DOJ mandated the practice of 100% licensing. NSAI President, songwriter Lee Thomas Miller said:

THE NATIONAL MUSIC PUBLISHERS’ ASSOCIATION, NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL AND SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE CRB SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) rate court Judge Louis Stanton issued a ruling overturning mandatory 100% licensing ordered by the U.S. Department of Justice. This means performing rights organization (PRO) BMI does NOT have to comply with 100% licensing, unless DOJ files an appeal and is victorious. The ruling does not apply to ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers).

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) today sent a letter to dozens of artists signed under the Sony Music Entertainment (SME) umbrella drawing their attention to a move by SME to devalue songwriter streaming mechanical royalties.

Dear Sony Music Entertainment Artist:

OFFICIAL WRITTEN RULING FINALLY ISSUED FROM DOJ REGARDING 100% LICENSING
The below statement has been issued by NSAI Board President and songwriter, Lee Thomas Miller on August 4, 2016. 

CLICK TO THE READ THE OFFICIAL DOJ RULING

The below letter was written to the CEO of Sony Records on August 3, 2016.

Dear Mr. Morris,